Bing launches in UK today

LONDON - Microsoft's search engine Bing has officially launched in the UK today (13 November), following a five-month trial.

Bing: today marks official UK launch
Bing: today marks official UK launch

The search engine has already attracted 16 million users in the UK, taking a 39% share of the search market, according to comScore.

Bing, which has been in testing since it launched in the US in June, will position itself as "the faster way to make informed choices". In a further bid to rival Google, Bing will also have a different image on its homepage every day, reflecting events or news.

The search engine, which will be supported by sponsored links, will also be able to provide instant answers to queries and its image library will be one page long, enabling users to scroll down continuously. Certain products from the visual search, such as cameras, will also be linked to Microsoft-owned shopping comparison site Ciao, which will be supported by display advertising.

Once a user types a search query, a navigation panel will be shown to the left of the page to prompt helpful and relevant results, such as history, hotels, images and video. Search histories will also be saved to remind users of their previous search query.

Bing will also be the first UK search engine to include Twitter feeds in its results. In addition, users will be able to go to Bing.com/Twitter to look at live Twitter trends.

Microsoft is also making a "significant" investment in launching an integrated campaign to promote the search engine. The campaign will include a tie-up with Global Radio, where Bing will be sponsor promotion of The X Factor on Heart, Capital Radio, Galaxy and LBC. The media has been bought by Universal McCann.

 

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